History of Shigeaki Hattori in Timeline

Shigeaki "Shige" Hattori is a Japanese former professional race car driver and team owner who was based in the United States. He competed in notable racing series such as CART, the IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Notably, he is not related to fellow racer Naoki Hattori, despite briefly competing against him in CART.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 3, 1963: Shigeaki Hattori's birth

On November 3, 1963, Shigeaki "Shige" Hattori was born. He became a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Formula Toyota Championship

In 1994, Shigeaki Hattori won the Formula Toyota championship.

1995: Move to the United States

In 1995, Shigeaki Hattori moved to the United States.

1996: Indy Lights Series debut and first win

In 1996, at the age of 32, Shigeaki Hattori began competing in the Indy Lights series. He scored his first career win in the series at the season-opener at Homestead Miami Speedway and would win two races that season.

1999: CART Competition and License Revocation

In 1999, Shigeaki Hattori raced for Bettenhausen in CART, but after spinning the car 18 times in 7 races, his CART competition license was revoked at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. He achieved a best finish of 15th at Gateway International Raceway.

2000: Start in Indy Racing League

In 2000, Shigeaki Hattori began racing in the Indy Racing League.

2001: Finished 13th in IRL points

In 2001, Shigeaki Hattori finished 13th in IRL points while racing for Treadway-Vertex Cunningham Racing.

2002: Best IRL finish

In 2002, Shigeaki Hattori had his best Indy Racing League finish, placing 6th at Texas Motor Speedway.

2003: Final year in Indy Racing League

2003 marked Shigeaki Hattori's last year racing in the Indy Racing League, after starting in 2000.

2004: First Craftsman Truck Series attempt

In 2004, Shigeaki Hattori attempted his first race in the Craftsman Truck Series at the season-finale at Homestead Miami Speedway, sponsored by Aisin AW, but failed to qualify his No. 01 Toyota Tundra.

2005: Rookie Season in the Truck Series

In 2005, Shigeaki Hattori had his rookie season in the Truck Series, driving the No. 9 Tundra for Germain Racing with sponsorship from Aisin AW. He was released at the end of the season after competing in 10 events and finishing 35th in series points.

2008: Start of Hattori Racing Enterprises

In 2008, Shigeaki Hattori began fielding entries in NASCAR and ARCA competition under the Hattori Racing Enterprises banner.

August 18, 2013: Debut as NASCAR team owner

On August 18, 2013, Shigeaki Hattori debuted as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team owner, fielding the No. 16 Goodyear of Japan Toyota at Michigan International Speedway in the National Guard 200. The team finished 17th with driver Brett Moffitt.

2014: HRE in Nationwide Series

In 2014, Hattori Racing Enterprises fielded the 80 in several Nationwide series events.

2015: HRE in Truck Series

In 2015, Hattori Racing Enterprises fielded the No. 18 for Ross Chastain at Michigan, but he failed to qualify. Later, the team hosted Ross Kenseth's first Truck start in the No. 18 at Martinsville.

2016: Ryan Truex Joins Hattori's Team

In 2016, Ryan Truex took over Hattori's Truck ride, renumbered to No. 81. They nearly won the season-opening race at Daytona, finishing second. They initially planned to run the full season, but sponsorship issues led to Truex driving part-time for the remainder of the season.

2017: Full Season with Ryan Truex

In 2017, Ryan Truex and Hattori's team ran the full season in the renumbered No. 16.

2018: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship

In 2018, Brett Moffitt and Hattori Racing Enterprises won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship despite sponsorship concerns. Moffitt was later released due to funding issues.

2018: Truex Released Before Season

Prior to the 2018 season, Ryan Truex was released from Hattori's team.

2019: Austin Hill Takes Over No. 16

In 2019, Austin Hill took over the No. 16 for Hattori Racing Enterprises.

2022: Expansion to Two Trucks

In 2022, Hattori Racing Enterprises expanded to two trucks with Tyler Ankrum and Chase Purdy.

2022: Formation of Hattori Motorsports

In 2022, Shigeaki Hattori formed Hattori Motorsports to compete in the GT4 America Series with Seth Lucas and Matt Plumb.

2024: Traffic collision under investigation

Preliminary investigation of the April 5, 2025 incident indicated a 2025 Toyota Crown crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2024 Lexus GX550.

April 5, 2025: Shigeaki Hattori's death

On April 5, 2025, Shigeaki "Shige" Hattori died in a traffic collision on North Carolina Highway 73 near Huntersville, North Carolina at the age of 61. Preliminary investigation indicated a 2025 Toyota Crown crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2024 Lexus GX550.